South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-12-16
Ruth Byrne's Experience.
BY MISS ANNE AYERS.

cen. She and her mother have been all
In all to each other. Her father. an old
man OF cxaciing temper is not a CON-
Tort. The dear mother has been long
ailing and to-day has lain without
speaking or stirring for hours. Ruth is
alone in her distress. A heavy storm
shuts in the cottage.
Towards evening tho rain ceased and
suddenly, from rift in the clouds west
ward, flood of sunshine broke, GEM
ming the dripping trees with myriad
diamonds. One golden ray streamed
through the narrow easement and illu.
mined the face OF the sufferer. Then,
either from the atmospheric change or
some subtlcr influence, she stirred,
opened her eyes, AMI murmurcd, "Thc
presence o. His glory"
AT the sound of her mothers voice
Ruth sprang to the bed, trying to win
attention. At length, exhausted by the
strain of the day, the poor girl flung her
self passionately upon her knees, and
wept aloud.
The daughters grief recalled the
mother to earth. Rousing, rs from sleep,
sho said: ''Pve been forgettn' meself;
l thought l was in heaven! Ruth.
daughter, don't fret. H,aven's nearer
earth than ye think. Put your dear
arm roun' me, sweetheart, and lift me
little-so. Be- a good daughter to old
father when Pm gone, Dear, and when
God takes father BIO good wife to
Peter"
"Mother" interrupted Ruth, drop
ping her face into her mothers neck.
1t was the first time such thought had
been put into words. The mother con-
tinued: 'Do what's pleasin' to God.
Use your privilege o prayer. It's past
teilin' the power God allows to pleadin
prayer. Trust God--trust." Her eyes
closed. 1t was the end.
Peter Moors was the young coachman
of the Ballymorc stage-coach. He and
Ruth had been schoolfellows. The
boy was three years older than the girl.
Orphaned at fourteen, Peter left his
native village and becime stable boy at
the inn from which the stage started.
He loved horses and was early pro-
nounced ''master haa'r with them.
and this reputc increasing, procured
him, at eighteen, his present position.
His holidays were usually spent near
Ruth.
Two years have passed. 1t is Sunday
afternoon in the fall OF 1S47. "Old
father" is summing himself on the door
step. Ruth and her bachelor, Peter. no
longer undeclared lovers, are talking
earnestly within.
There is great distress in the land. A
widespread famine is destroying the
people. Except for aid from England
and ship-loads of food material gen
erously sent over by the United States,
many moro must have persisted.
Whole districts, at the best, were but
hal!-fcd, and the change in Ruth's ap-
pearance, from Sunday to Sunday, tore
Peters heart. He is determined to re-
main passive no longer. "Ruth, me
hearts Jewel" he urged, ''let us wed
Mt once, and then I'll have mans right
TO carry you and father where we can all
eat our FILL"
The color mounted to her brow. Her
heart shrobbed unanimously. 1t was
great temptation. She covered her face
with her hands for minute, then said.
calmly: 81 mnst do what mother said.
Peter 'twould vex father, past bearin',
for me to give any man but himself first
right to me-"
Peters face flushed angriy: '1f that's
your will, Ruth, I'll take me passage
alone for the States this week, and send
you, month about, what'll keep you and
father comfortable"
Ruth swooncd and would have fallen
but that Peter caught her. Lifting her
in bis arms, he strained her to his breast
"Beyant tho sea" she moaned, BEGIN
ming TO rovivc. Peter fastened 10 re-
assure her: "'No, me darlin', I'll stay.
Wen starvc and die together" Ruth
was herself now: THAT would not be
plcasin to God, doubt. We must trust
one another wi him"
The next Sunday Peter was gone. At
the moment Of parting he slipped little
package into Ruth's hand, saying: "a
truc-love token for me dear"
1t was a roll Of money; the savings of
the past two years, boarded for the set
ting up Of their nome.
Six weeks after p tors departure oil
John Byrnc died Of apoplexy. Ruth's
faith staggered for a moment. I'll
Peter had waited little, OF if father had
only" she checked herself. "What
am / saying'l God forgive me. His
times the right time
On the day Of the funeral came Peters
first letter, written from Castle Garden
m hour from landing He wanted she
should know he was safe over. without
delay. Would write again in day o.
two, &c. Ruth had not mastered ali he